Pope Tawadros says Egyptians voting in election is ‘national duty’

Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II has urged Egyptians to “fulfil their duty” by taking part in the presidential election. (REUTERS)
Updated 24 March 2018
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Pope Tawadros says Egyptians voting in election is ‘national duty’

CAIRO: Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II has urged Egyptians to “fulfil their duty” by taking part in the presidential election set to begin on Monday.
Pope Tawadros said he expects the entire world to be focused on the turnout of this presidential vote during a recent sermon, according to Al Masry El-Youm.
“I appeal to every patriotic, honorable, sincere Egyptian national to not to deprive the homeland of (their) duty. Positive participation in the presidential election is a duty like a soldier’s duty on the front (lines).”
He encouraged participation in the voting process despite expecting a ‘certain candidate’ to sweep to victory.
“It seems that a candidate will succeed in sweeping the next presidential election,” he said.cMore voices have been calling on the Egyptian people to take part in the presidential vote.
Polls will open on Monday for voters to choose between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and little-known candidate Mousa Mostafa Mousa, who supports the former field marshal.
A group of Egyptian celebrities have taken part in a promotional video urging citizens to participate in the elections, and specifically vote for El-Sisi.


The stars list their reasons on why voters should pick El-Sisi as president for a second term by recounting “the numerous challenges” he went through during his time in office, according to news website Egypt Today.
“He made us all believe that our dreams could come true,” says one actor.
“Four years ago, we all headed to the presidential election ballots, we all gave our votes to President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi for the presidency of Egypt. Many accomplishments took place during those four years,” noted actor Ahmed Abdel Aziz said.


Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares. (AP)
Updated 02 January 2026
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Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

  • Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza. 
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. 
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.